Italian FCA diesel probe omitted key tests

According to an unpublished report by the Italian transport ministry, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) vehicles were allowed to skip key tests used to find illegal emissions cheating software, reportsReuters.

The report, which was presented to a European parliamentary committee in October, was circulated by some opposition Italian politicians and leaked to the media.

The Italian ministry’s findings include complete sets of data for eight diesel cars from BMW, Ford, Mercedes, Volkswagen and Opel, but results are missing for all the seven FCA models tested.

For three – a Jeep Cherokee 2.0, Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.6 and a Lancia Ypsilon 1.3, results are incomplete for an on-road measurement phase and a reversedversion of the EU’s standard ‘NEDC’ lab test.

But for all seven models, three protocols are skipped that are used to help unmask emissions-cheating devices. These protocols form part of the ‘Artemis’ test used to adjust EU lab tests to reflect urban driving styles, and detect defeat device software by preventing them from detecting the test.

FCA is among carmakers including Renault and GM that use an EU legal loophole that allows emissions-boosting software when necessary for safety or engine protection. They all deny breaking the law.

On Thursday, MEPs voted on tougher EU oversight of vehicle testing by national authorities.

Campaign group Transport & Environment’s Julia Poliscanova said: ‘It's imperative that we break this cosy relationship between national testing authorities and their domestic carmakers. This problem is at the heart of Dieselgate.’